Wearable input device

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems are disclosed for integrating LC circuits into a user&#39;s jewelry for controlling systems such as computer games. The resonant frequency of the circuit at each of multiple rings worn by the user may be adjustable. A secondary coil within each ring may be moved in relation to the magnetic field generated by a primary coil that may be part of another piece of jewelry, such as a watch or a bracelet, to generate control signals. The magnetic field may inductively couple and power the rings, which may each contain an LC tank circuit. If powered, each of these circuits may oscillate at its resonant frequency. A receiver system may comprise an antenna and a tuning circuit to detect a resonant frequency as an input to control moves of a character within a game, for example for use with heads-up displays (HUDs) for augmented reality applications.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/831,128 entitled “Wearable Input Device” and filed Mar. 14, 2013 andpublished as U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2014-0274395 A1.The entirety of each of the foregoing patent applications and patentapplication publications is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates generally to the field of wearable computingsystems and subsystems, such as methods and systems involving an item ofjewelry such as a watch or a bracelet worn on a wrist of a user that maycontain a coil for generating a magnetic field to inductively power asecond piece of jewelry such as a ring that may contain an LC (“tank”)circuit that may oscillate at a resonant frequency.

2. General Background

An inductor (L) and a capacitor (C) may be used together in a circuittypically referred to as a LC circuit, an LC tank circuit, an LC tunedcircuit, or a resonant circuit to tune to specific frequencies. As iscommonly known, an LC tank circuit may oscillate at a resonantfrequency, and be used to isolate a signal at a particular frequencyfrom a more complex signal. For example, a radio receiver typically hasan antenna connected to a variable LC tank circuit, to tune to a desiredLC resonant frequency among the signals coming in from the antenna, suchas a specific radio station. If an LC tank circuit is connected to apower source, it may oscillate at a resonant frequency. The oscillationmay be due to the effect of the magnetic field of the inductorincreasing and then collapsing as the capacitor charges and thendischarges.

An inductive power transfer may be used to power a device without theneed for any direct wired connection between the power source and thedevice. Inductive power transfer may use a primary coil and a secondarycoil. The primary coil may be contained within the device under power.The primary coil may have a current passing through it, which generatesa proportional magnetic field around the primary coil. If a secondarycoil is placed within the primary coil's magnetic field, theelectromagnetic waves generated by the current passing through theprimary coil cause a current to be induced through the secondary coil.This process is known as magnetic induction. The current in thesecondary coil may then be utilized to power another device that iscoupled to the secondary coil. The secondary coil may be contained, forexample, within a receiving system that may be powered through thisprocess of magnetic induction. When the receiving device is placed nearthe primary coil, power may be inductively transferred from the primarycoil to the secondary coil, with no direct electrical (wired) connectionbetween the coils. Common examples of commercially available devicesthat use this type of inductive charging include cordless toothbrushes.

It is desirable to apply the above principles to the field of wearablecomputers, such as by using items of jewelry as controllers for computerapplications, including but not limited to gaming software.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

By way of example, reference will now be made to the accompanyingdrawings, which are not to scale.

FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary networked environment and its relevantcomponents according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is an exemplary block diagram of a computing device that may beused to implement certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2A depicts a typical powered LC tank circuit.

FIG. 2B depicts a primary coil with a magnetic field coupling to a LCtank circuit in accordance with certain embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 depicts a primary coil with a magnetic field coupling to multipleLC tank circuits in accordance with certain embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 depicts a primary coil with a magnetic field coupling to multipleLC tank circuits and not coupling to another LC tank circuit inaccordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a powered LC tank circuit that has a variable capacitorto control the resonant frequency of the circuit in accordance withcertain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a powered LC tank circuit that has a variable inductor tocontrol the resonant frequency of the circuit in accordance with certainembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a powered LC tank circuit that has a variable capacitorand a variable inductor to control the resonant frequency of the circuitin accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 depicts a user's hand with a primary coil around the wrist and LCtank circuits on the fingers in accordance with certain embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 9 depicts a block diagram of a receive detection system fordetecting a particular frequency in accordance with certain embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 10 depicts a flow chart of a receive detection system for detectinginput from a particular item of jewelry in accordance with certainembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 depicts a flow chart of a receive detection system for detectinginput of a particular frequency in accordance with certain embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 12 depicts a flow chart of a receive detection system for detectinginput of a particular combination of frequencies in accordance withcertain embodiments of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the followingdescription of certain embodiments is illustrative only and not in anyway limiting. Other embodiments will readily suggest themselves to suchskilled persons, having the benefit of this disclosure. Reference willnow be made in detail to specific implementations as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. The same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings and the following description to refer to thesame or like parts.

Certain embodiments include methods and systems of using variableinductor and capacitor (LC) tank circuits with the use of inductivepower transfer to power LC tank circuits and, more specificallyaccording to certain embodiments, to methods and systems involving apiece of jewelry such as a watch or a bracelet worn on a wrist of a userthat may contain a coil for generating a magnetic field to inductivelypower a second piece of jewelry such as a ring that may contain an LCtank circuit that may oscillate at a resonant frequency. According tocertain embodiments, an antenna and tuning circuits for tuning to a LCtank circuit's resonant frequency may be integrated within the system todetect a frequency based on the user's movement of a particular piece ofjewelry (such as a ring which may contain an LC tank circuit that mayoscillate at a particular resonant frequency), to provide one or morecontrol inputs to a computer application, including without limitationto control game moves of a character for use with heads-up displays(HUDs) for augmented reality applications.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides a mechanism that allowsfor use of variable inductor and capacitor (LC) tank circuits that maybe integrated as part of a user's jewelry, such as rings that may beworn on one or more fingers of the user which may have the capability tovary the oscillation frequency of each ring as an input for controllingpart of a game. Each of the tuned LC tank circuits that may beintegrated as jewelry, such as a ring, may be moved within the magneticfield of a primary coil that may be part of another piece of jewelrysuch as a watch or a bracelet, worn on a wrist of a user. The primarycoil may be integrated as jewelry and may be powered from a power sourceconnected to the jewelry. Current may flow through the primary coil onthe jewelry. The primary coil may induce a magnetic field around thesecondary coil of the inductor on the LC tank circuit of a ring that maybe on the finger of the user, which then may transfer power to the LCtank circuit. If powered, the LC tank circuit may oscillate at itsresonant frequency. In certain embodiments, antenna and tuning circuitsfor tuning to a LC tank circuit's frequency may be integrated within thesystem.

In certain embodiments, an input device is disclosed, comprising a firstpiece of jewelry comprising a power source and a primary coil forgenerating a magnetic field, a second piece of jewelry comprising an LCtank circuit that oscillates at a first resonant frequency when placedwithin the magnetic field, and a receiver for receiving a signal anddetermining whether the signal comprises a match. The receiver maycomprise an antenna and a tuning circuit to detect the first resonantfrequency in the signal. Without limitation, the first and second piecesof jewelry may be any combination of watches, bracelets, or rings. Incertain embodiments, the signal match may comprise the first resonantfrequency. In certain embodiments, the second piece of jewelry maycomprise at least one of a variable inductor and a variable capacitorfor varying the first resonant frequency.

In certain embodiments, the input device may further includes one ormore additional pieces of jewelry. In certain embodiments, the one ormore additional pieces of jewelry each may include an additional LC tankcircuit that oscillates at an additional resonant frequency when placedwithin the magnetic field. In certain embodiments, at least one of theadditional pieces of jewelry may include at least one of a variableinductor and a variable capacitor for varying the additional resonantfrequency.

In certain embodiments, a method is disclosed for providing input to acomputer game, including providing a first piece of jewelry comprising apower source and a primary coil, generating a current in the primarycoil to generate a magnetic field, providing a second piece of jewelrycomprising an LC tank circuit, moving the second piece of jewelry intothe magnetic field of the primary coil to cause the second piece ofjewelry to oscillate at a first resonant frequency, receiving a signalfrom the second piece of jewelry, and determining if the signalcomprises a signal match.

In certain embodiments, the first piece of jewelry may comprise aselected one of a watch, a bracelet and a ring. In certain embodiments,the second piece of jewelry may comprise a ring. In certain embodiments,the second piece of jewelry may comprise at least one of a variableinductor and a variable capacitor for varying the first resonantfrequency.

In certain embodiments, the signal match may include any frequency. Incertain embodiments, the signal match may include the first resonantfrequency.

In certain embodiments, the method may further include providing one ormore additional pieces of jewelry. At least one of the additional piecesof jewelry may be moved into the magnetic field to cause it to oscillateat an additional resonant frequency. In certain embodiments, at leastone of the additional pieces of jewelry may include at least one of avariable inductor and a variable capacitor for varying the additionalresonant frequency.

Certain figures in this specification are flow charts illustratingmethods and systems. It will be understood that each block of these flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in these flow charts, may beimplemented by computer program instructions. These computer programinstructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions which executeon the computer or other programmable apparatus create structures forimplementing the functions specified in the flow chart block or blocks.These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that theinstructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an articleof manufacture including instruction structures which implement thefunction specified in the flow chart block or blocks. The computerprogram instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or otherprogrammable apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to beperformed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce acomputer implemented process such that the instructions which execute onthe computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps forimplementing the functions specified in the flow chart block or blocks.

Accordingly, blocks of the flow charts support combinations ofstructures for performing the specified functions and combinations ofsteps for performing the specified functions. It will also be understoodthat each block of the flow charts, and combinations of blocks in theflow charts, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedcomputer systems which perform the specified functions or steps, orcombinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

For example, any number of computer programming languages, such as C,C++, C# (CSharp), Perl, Ada, Python, Pascal, SmallTalk, FORTRAN,assembly language, and the like, may be used to implement certainembodiments. Further, various programming approaches such as procedural,object-oriented or artificial intelligence techniques may be employed,depending on the requirements of each particular implementation.Compiler programs and/or virtual machine programs executed by computersystems may translate higher level programming languages to generatesets of machine instructions that may be executed by one or moreprocessors to perform a programmed function or set of functions.

The term “machine-readable medium” should be understood to include anystructure that participates in providing data which may be read by anelement of a computer system. Such a medium may take many forms,including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, andtransmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical ormagnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media includedynamic random access memory (DRAM) and/or static random access memory(SRAM). Transmission media include cables, wires, and fibers, includingthe wires that comprise a system bus coupled to processor. Common formsof machine-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, aflexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium,a CD-ROM, a DVD, any other optical medium.

FIG. 1A depicts an exemplary networked environment 105 in which systemsand methods, consistent with exemplary embodiments, may be implemented.As illustrated, networked environment 105 may include a server 115, aclient/receiver 125, and a network 135. The exemplary simplified numberof servers 115, clients/receivers 125, and networks 135 illustrated inFIG. 1A can be modified as appropriate in a particular implementation.In practice, there may be additional servers 115, clients/receivers 125,and/or networks 135.

Network 135 may include one or more networks of any type, including aPublic Land Mobile Network (PLMN), a telephone network (e.g., a PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN) and/or a wireless network), a localarea network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide areanetwork (WAN), an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network,a private network, the Internet, an intranet, and/or another type ofsuitable network, depending on the requirements of each particularimplementation.

One or more components of networked environment 105 may perform one ormore of the tasks described as being performed by one or more othercomponents of networked environment 105.

FIG. 1B is an exemplary diagram of a computing device 200 that may beused to implement certain embodiments, such as aspects of server 115 orof client/receiver 125. Computing device 200 may include a bus 201, oneor more processors 205, a main memory 210, a read-only memory (ROM) 215,a storage device 220, one or more input devices 225, one or more outputdevices 230, and a communication interface 235. Bus 201 may include oneor more conductors that permit communication among the components ofcomputing device 200.

Processor 205 may include any type of conventional processor,microprocessor, or processing logic that interprets and executesinstructions. Main memory 210 may include a random-access memory (RAM)or another type of dynamic storage device that stores information andinstructions for execution by processor 205. ROM 215 may include aconventional ROM device or another type of static storage device thatstores static information and instructions for use by processor 205.Storage device 220 may include a magnetic and/or optical recordingmedium and its corresponding drive.

Input device(s) 225 may include one or more conventional mechanisms thatpermit a user to input information to computing device 200, such as akeyboard, a mouse, a pen, a stylus, handwriting recognition, voicerecognition, biometric mechanisms, and the like. Output device(s) 230may include one or more conventional mechanisms that output informationto the user, including a display, a projector, an A/V receiver, aprinter, a speaker, and the like. Communication interface 235 mayinclude any transceiver-like mechanism that enables computingdevice/server 200 to communicate with other devices and/or systems. Forexample, communication interface 235 may include mechanisms forcommunicating with another device or system via a network, such asnetwork 135 as shown in FIG. 1A.

As will be described in detail below, computing device 200 may performoperations based on software instructions that may be read into memory210 from another computer-readable medium, such as data storage device220, or from another device via communication interface 235. Thesoftware instructions contained in memory 210 cause processor 205 toperform processes that will be described later. Alternatively, hardwiredcircuitry may be used in place of or in combination with softwareinstructions to implement processes consistent with the presentinvention. Thus, various implementations are not limited to any specificcombination of hardware circuitry and software.

Certain embodiments of the present invention described herein arediscussed in the context of the global data communication networkcommonly referred to as the Internet. Those skilled in the art willrealize that embodiments of the present invention may use any othersuitable data communication network, including without limitation directpoint-to-point data communication systems, dial-up networks, personal orcorporate Intranets, proprietary networks, or combinations of any ofthese with or without connections to the Internet.

FIG. 2A depicts a typical powered LC tank circuit 240, comprising aninductor 242 and a capacitor 244 in parallel. The circuit 240 may bepowered by a battery or a power source 248 as shown. The circuit 240when powered may oscillate at its resonant frequency. The resonantfrequency may be determined by the capacitance of the capacitor 244 andthe inductance of the inductor 242. The oscillation may be due to themagnetic field of the inductor increasing and then collapsing as thecapacitor charges and then discharges. The circuit 240 depicted in FIG.2A may sometimes be referred as a LC tank circuit, a tank circuit, atuned circuit, or a resonant circuit (among other names) and maytypically be used to perform tuning functions on a radio receiver.

FIG. 2B depicts a circuit 250 with a primary coil 265 attached to apower source 260. When powered by a power source 260 a current 255 maybe generated through the primary coil 265. The current 255 when flowingthrough the primary coil 265 may generate a magnetic field 270. If themagnetic field 270 overlaps another coil 275, sometimes called asecondary coil, a current 285 in the secondary coil 275 may be induced.The coupling of the primary coil's 265 magnetic field 270 to thesecondary coil 275 may be able to power another device. This mechanismmay be referred to as inductive power transfer, since the second circuit290 may be powered from the magnetic field 270 of the primary coil 265without the use of any direct connection between the primary coil 265and the second circuit 290. In FIG. 2B, the device 290 may be a LC tankcircuit that when powered may oscillate at a resonant frequency that maybe dependent on the inductance L of the coil 275 and the capacitance Cof the capacitor 280. The frequency at which the circuit 290 oscillatesmay be said to be the resonant frequency of the circuit.

FIG. 3 depicts a circuit 300 with a primary coil 330 attached to a powersource 320, inductively coupled to multiple secondary coils according tocertain embodiments. When powered by a power source 320, the circuit maygenerate a current 310 flowing through the primary coil 330. The current310 flowing through the primary coil 330 may generate a magnetic field335. If the magnetic field 335 overlaps secondary coils 340, 345, and350, a current 355, 360, and 365 in each of the respective secondarycoils 340, 345, and 350 may be induced. The coupling of the primarycoil's magnetic field 335 to the secondary coils 340, 345, and 350 maybe able to power other devices 380, 385 and 390 respectively. Therefore,each secondary coil that may be within the magnetic field of the primarycoil 330 may have current induced into secondary coils 340, 345 or 350.In FIG. 3, the three devices 380, 385, and 390 may comprise LC tankcircuits. When each of the LC tank circuits is powered, it may eachoscillate at a frequency that may be dependent on the inductance of theinductor and the capacitance of the capacitor of each circuit. Thefrequency at which each of the three circuits oscillate may be said tobe the resonant frequency of each circuit. There may be othercombinations of other types of circuits that may be powered and othercombinations of the numbers of circuits that may have inductive powertransferred to them. For example, FIG. 3 shows three circuits 380, 385,and 390 that may have current induced into each of the secondary coils.

FIG. 4 depicts a circuit 400 with a primary coil 430 attached to a powersource 420 according to other aspects of the invention. When powered bya power source 420, the primary coil 430 may generate a current 410flowing through the primary coil 430. The current 410 when flowingthrough the primary coil 430 may generate a magnetic field 435. If themagnetic field 435 overlaps secondary coils 440 and 445, a current 455and 460 in each of the secondary coils 440 and 445 may be induced. Thecoupling of the primary coil's magnetic field 435 to the secondary coils440 and 445 may be able to power other devices 480 and 485 respectively.Therefore, a secondary current may be induced in each secondary coil 440and 445 that may be within the magnetic field of the primary coil 430.In FIG. 4, the two devices 480 and 485 may comprise LC tank circuits.When each of circuits 480 and 485 are powered, they may each oscillateat a frequency that may be dependent on the inductance of the inductorand the capacitance of the capacitor of each circuit. The frequency atwhich each of the circuits 480 and 485 oscillate may be said to be theresonant frequency of each circuit. In certain embodiments, there may beother combinations of other types of circuits that may be powered andother combinations of the numbers of circuits that may have inductivepower transferred to them. For example, FIG. 4 shows two circuits 480and 485 that may have current induced into each of the secondary coils.FIG. 4 also depicts a third circuit 490 that does not overlap with themagnetic field 435 of the primary coil. In this case, the third circuit390 may not be inductively powered and therefore the third circuit,which may comprise a LC tank circuit, does not oscillate. In certainembodiments, there may be more or fewer circuits than just the two LCtank circuits shown in FIG. 4 (480 and 485) that may be inductivelycoupled with primary coil 430, and also more circuits than just the oneLC tank circuit shown in FIG. 4 (490) that may not be inductivelycoupled to the primary coil 430.

Certain embodiments may take advantage of the proximity of a secondarycoil of a LC tank circuit with respect to a primary coil's magneticfield. Moving a secondary coil of a LC tank circuit within range of theprimary coil's magnetic field may cause it to start to oscillate.Conversely, moving that secondary coil out of the range of the primarycoil's magnetic field may cause it to stop oscillating. According tocertain embodiments, as described herein, detection/decision circuitrymay sense information regarding the relative position of one or moresecondary coils with respect to a primary coil (which may be based onthe relative strength of one or more signals generated as a result ofthe oscillation or non-oscillation of those secondary coils) and convertthat information to a set of control signals to be transmitted to asystem that is to be controlled, such as a computer game.

Thus, aspects of the present invention comprise one or more detectioncircuits for sensing whether one or more secondary coils are locatedwithin the magnetic field of a primary coil. In certain embodiments, theone or more detection circuits may sense that one or more of thesecondary coils is oscillating at its resonant frequency, indicatingthat the particular one or more secondary coils is within range of theprimary coil's magnetic field. In certain embodiments, each of thesecondary coils may oscillate at a different resonant frequency whenwithin range of the primary coil's magnetic field. In such embodiments,the one or more detection circuits may be able to detect which one ormore secondary coils is within the range of the magnetic field of theprimary coil. In certain embodiments, detection of the resonantfrequency of a particular secondary coil may be used as an input to acomputer application. In certain embodiments, detection of a combinationof two or more resonant frequencies corresponding to two or moresecondary coils may be used as an input to a computer application. Oneof ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a plurality ofsecondary coils, incorporated for example and without limitation into aplurality of rings, may be used to generate multiple different inputs toa computer application.

In certain embodiments, one or more detection circuits may be used todetect changes in the current in the primary coil that may be caused bymoving one or more secondary coils within range of the magnetic field ofthe primary coil. In certain embodiments, the change in the primary coilcurrent may be used as an input to a computer application. In certainembodiments, the change in primary coil current may correspond to aparticular secondary coil being within range of the primary coil'smagnetic field. In such embodiments, the one or more detection circuitsmay be able to detect which one or more secondary coils is within therange of the magnetic field of the primary coil. In certain embodiments,detection of a change in primary coil current corresponding to a changerelated to the coupling of a particular secondary coil with the primarycoil may be used as an input to a computer application. In certainembodiments, detection of a change in primary coil current correspondingto a change related to the coupling characteristics of a combination oftwo or more secondary coils with respect to the primary coil may be usedas an input to a computer application. One of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that a plurality of secondary coils, incorporated forexample and without limitation into a plurality of rings, may be used avariety of discrete changes in primary coil current that may be used togenerate multiple different inputs to a computer application.

For example, if in a particular embodiment there are five pieces ofjewelry which contain LC tank circuits and none of the secondary coilsof the LC tank circuits are within the magnetic field of the primarycoil, then none of the LC tank circuits may oscillate. In certainimplementations, if a user desires to move a character forward in agame, the user may move at least one piece of jewelry which contains anLC tank circuit with a secondary coil closer to the powered primary coilso that it may oscillate at a specific resonant frequency to generate acontrol signal to be transmitted to the game to move the character inthe desired direction. In certain embodiments of the invention, the gamemay require a particular piece of jewelry which contains a LC tankcircuit to oscillate at its certain resonant frequency. Alternately, asignal to the game may be generated by causing a particular piece ofjewelry which contains a LC tank circuit to stop oscillating. The userin this case may move the piece of jewelry that contains the LC tankcircuit out of the range of the magnetic field of the primary coil.

In certain embodiments, a signal may be generated and transmitted to adecision circuit by a particular piece of jewelry which contains a LCtank circuit that has a secondary coil that oscillates at a particularfrequency. This may be accomplished by moving the piece of jewelry whichcontains the LC tank circuit that has a secondary coil within themagnetic field of the primary coil and adjusting the resonant frequencyof the LC tank circuit. FIG. 5 depicts a typical powered LC tank circuit500 comprising an inductor 510 and a variable capacitor 520 in parallelaccording to certain embodiments. The LC tank circuit 500 may be poweredby a power source 530, such as a magnetic field (e.g., magnetic field435). The LC tank circuit 500 when powered by a power source 530 mayoscillate at its resonant frequency. The resonant frequency of the LCtank circuit 500 may be determined by the capacitance of the capacitor520 and the inductance of the inductor 510. The resonant frequency ofthe LC tank circuit 500 as depicted in FIG. 5 may be adjusted bychanging the capacitance value of variable capacitor 520. Since theresonant frequency may be dependent on the combination of inductance ofthe inductor 510 and the variable capacitor 520, varying the variablecapacitor's 520 capacitance may change the resonant frequency of the LCtank circuit.

FIG. 6 shows powered LC tank circuit 600 with a variable inductoraccording to certain embodiments. To adjust the resonant frequency ofthe LC tank circuit 600, a variable inductor 610 may combined with aconstant capacitance capacitor 620, instead of using a variablecapacitor as in FIG. 5. Since the resonant frequency may be dependent onthe inductance of the combination of variable inductor 610 and capacitor620, varying the inductance value of variable inductor 610 may changethe resonant frequency of the LC tank circuit.

FIG. 7 shows a powered LC tank circuit 700 with a variable inductor anda variable capacitor according to aspects of the present invention. Toadjust the resonant frequency of the LC tank circuit 700, a variableinductor 710 may be combined with a variable capacitor 720. Since theresonant frequency may be dependent on combination of the inductance ofthe variable inductor 710 and the capacitance of the variable capacitor720, varying the variable inductor's 710 inductance and/or the variablecapacitor's 720 capacitance may change the resonant frequency of the LCtank circuit.

FIG. 8 depicts a user's hand with a primary coil around the wrist and LCtank circuits on the fingers in accordance with certain embodiments ofthe present invention. A piece of jewelry 810 such as a watch or abracelet may be worn on a wrist 820 of a user. A primary coil 830wrapped around the wrist may be integral to the piece of jewelry 810around the wrist and may be powered by a power source 840 which may be,without limitation, one or more batteries, and which may be includedwithin jewelry 810 worn on the user's wrist 820. When powered, a currentmay be induced within coil 830, which may generate a magnetic field 890around coil 830, the primary coil in this case.

As shown in FIG. 8, items of jewelry 850 and 860 may be implemented asrings which may be worn by the user. Item of jewelry 880 may beimplemented as another form of jewelry such a piercing, or may comprisea piece of jewelry or other object that may be held by the user's palm.For example, the items of jewelry used in a particular implementationmay comprise two rings, each containing an LC tank circuit with asecondary coil, but there may be any number of rings or other jewelrythat each contain LC tank circuits with a secondary coil that may bewithin the magnetic field 890. Each ring may comprise an inductor and acapacitor in parallel, comprising an LC tank circuit as shown on FIG.2B, where L 275 represents the inductor and C 280 represents thecapacitor.

In certain embodiments, the capacitor in a given LC tank circuit maybecome charged inductively when the primary coil 830 generates amagnetic field 890 and a corresponding ring (850 and/or 860) is moved tobe within the magnetic field 890. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 2B, themagnetic field 890 may induce a current 285 within inductor 275 withinany of the rings 850 or 860 when the inductor 275 of the appropriatesecondary coil, becomes located within the magnetic field 890 of theprimary coil 830. When current 285 is flowing, the LC tank circuit 290in any of rings 850 and/or 860 that are within magnetic field 890 maybegin to oscillate at its respective resonant frequency. In certainembodiments, power source 840 may cause an inductive power transfer fromto any of rings 850 and/or 860 that are within magnetic field 890.

The LC tank circuit 290 of each of rings 850 and/or 860 may remainoscillating so long as the respective circuit remains powered by theinductive power transfer from the primary coil 830. This oscillation maybe detected by an antenna system that may be tuned for the particularresonant frequency of a given LC tank circuit, as further discussed withreference to FIG. 9.

According to certain embodiments, FIG. 8 depicts a magnetic field 890and a particular implementation involving three pieces of jewelry (850,860, and 880) located on different parts of a user's hand. By moving theuser's fingers and/or hand (such as by rotating the user's wrist orextending one or more fingers) the pieces of jewelry 850, 860, and 880may be moved selectively into and out of the magnetic field 890. Bymoving the hand and fingers out of the magnetic field 890, the inductivecoupling between the magnetic field 890 and one or more pieces ofjewelry 850, 860, and 880 may be interrupted. Conversely, by moving theuser's hand and/or fingers such that one or more of the items of jewelry850, 860, and/or 880 move within magnetic field 890, the inductivecoupling between the magnetic field 890 and the corresponding pieces ofjewelry may be established. Therefore, the user may control theinductive coupling of each piece of jewelry (850, 860, and 880), bydifferent hand movements.

In certain embodiments, FIG. 9 depicts a system block diagram forcircuitry to detect the LC tank circuitry oscillation according tocertain embodiments. The circuitry depicted by system 900 may belocated, for example and without limitation, within a heads up display(HUD) apparatus, or on the wrist of the user. As shown in FIG. 9, system900 comprises an antenna 910 that is coupled to a LC Detection Circuit920. The LC Detection Circuit 920 is coupled to LC Control Circuit 940,which transmits information to LC Detection Circuit 920 relating to thefrequency or frequencies of interest with respect to one or more LC tankcircuits. The LC Control Circuit 940 may communicate with game software950. A user may generate an input to a game, which may include withoutlimitation a signal to a game to cause a character in the game to movein a desired direction, by moving at least one piece of jewelry, such asa ring worn by the user that containing an LC circuit, into the magneticfield of the primary coil (see items 810/830 in FIG. 8). This movementmay cause an LC tank circuit that may be integrated within a piece ofjewelry, such as a ring, to oscillate at its resonant frequency. Thesystem 900 may receive a signal at the resonant frequency of an LC tankcircuit that may be integrated within a particular ring 850 or 860 viaantenna 910. The received signal may then be passed to a LC DetectionCircuit 920 connected to the antenna 910. The LC Detection Circuit 920comprises a tuning circuit and may be tuned to detect the resonantfrequency of one or more of the LC tank circuits that may be integratedwithin jewelry items worn by the user, such as rings 850 or 860. One ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that other types of jewelrythat may be worn on, affixed to or otherwise attached to a user may besubstituted for the exemplary jewelry described herein without departingthe scope of the invention. When the system detects a frequency matchbetween the resonant frequency of one of the rings 850 or 860 and thesignal received by the LC Detection Circuit 920, then the LC DetectionCircuit 920 may send a match signal 925 to the Decision Circuit 930 toindicate that the correct frequency has been detected by the LCdetection circuit 920. The Decision Circuit 930 may then send a signalto the Game Software 950 to provide an input that may, for example,cause a character in the game to move in a desired direction. The GameSoftware 950 may then allow the game character to move in the desireddirection in the game.

In certain embodiments, the game software 950 may inform the LC controlCircuit 940 to search for a particular frequency. The user may vary thecapacitance and/or inductance of one or more of the rings, which maycontain a LC tank circuit, to resonate at the particular frequency andthen move the one or more ring into the magnetic field of the primarycoil (or vice a versa). Varying the capacitance and/or inductance of theLC tank circuit may cause the LC tank circuit (as discussed withreference to FIGS. 5-7) to resonate at a different frequency when withinthe primary coil's magnetic field. Therefore, there may be multiplesteps that the user may need to perform so that the LC Detection Circuit920 generates a match signal 925.

The game software 950 may provide a plurality of levels of complexity.The first level of complexity may be to generate a match signal 925 fromthe LC Detection Circuit 920 if it is determined that a ring thatcontains a LC tank circuit is oscillating (as discussed further withreference to FIG. 10). The second level of complexity may be to generatea match signal 925 from the LC Detection Circuit 920 if the ring thatcontains a LC tank circuit is detected to be oscillating at a particulardesired frequency (as discussed further with reference to FIG. 11). Athird level of complexity may be to generate a match signal 925 from theLC Detection Circuit 920 if a sequence or combination of particulardesired frequencies may be detected from multiple rings which each maycontain LC tank circuits (as discussed further with reference to FIG.12). Many additional levels of complexity and other combinations notpresented here fall within the scope of the present invention asunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

In certain embodiments, FIG. 10 is a flow chart that depicts anexemplary method 1000 that the user may follow in order to cause aspecific action to occur in the game. The game software 950 may generatea request for an input by a specific item of jewelry from a plurality ofjewelry items worn by the user (1005). For example, game software 950may request a user to provide input from a particular ring, say ring860, so that a game character moves forward in the game.

A user may then move the requested jewelry containing a LC tank circuitwithin the magnetic field of the primary coil (1010). For e.g., user maymove ring 860 within the magnetic field of the primary coil, e.g., wornon the wrist in battery powered jewelry 830. A match signal may begenerated 925 from the LC Detection Circuit 920 if it is determined thata ring 860 is oscillating. If a match signal 925 is generated (1020),then the match signal 925 may be sent to the game software 950 (1030).

After this signal is sent to the game software 950, the game software950 may allow a specific action to happen (1040). For e.g., gamesoftware 950 may allow a character (e.g., a character controlled atleast by ring 860) to perform a certain action in the game. In anotherembodiment, game software 950 may allow a character to perform a certainaction in the game (e.g., an action controlled at least by ring 860).

However, if a match signal 925 is not generated (1020), then the usermay modify at least one of the jewelry's capacitance and/or inductanceto modify the resonant frequency of the corresponding LC tank circuit(1050). For e.g., user may modify capacitance if ring 860 includes LCcircuit with a variable capacitance, an inductance if ring 860 includesan LC circuit with a variable inductance, or both if ring 860 includesboth a variable inductance and a variable capacitance. If a match signal925 is generated (1060), then the match signal 925 may be sent to thegame software 950 (1030). The game software 950 may then respond to thematch signal 925 by performing a specific action, e.g., allowing thegame character to move forward in the game (1040). If a match signal 925is not generated (1060), then the user may modify the jewelry'scapacitance and/or inductance (1050) until a match signal 925 isgenerated.

In certain embodiments, FIG. 11 is a flow chart that depicts anexemplary method 1100 that the user may follow in order to cause aspecific action to occur in the game. The game software 950 may generatea request for a specific frequency jewelry input (1105). For example,game software 950 may request a user to provide an input of a particularfrequency (or combination of frequencies) so that a game character movesforward in the game, or performs a particular combination of moves oractions.

A user may then move a first piece of jewelry (e.g., ring 860)containing a LC tank circuit within the magnetic field of the primarycoil (1110). A match signal 925 may be generated from the LC DetectionCircuit 920 if ring 860 is detected to be oscillating at a particulardesired frequency. If a match signal 925 is generated (1120), then thematch signal may be sent to the game software 950 (1130). After thissignal is sent to the game software 950, the game software 950 may causethe specific action to occur in the game (1140). For example, gamesoftware 950 may allow the game character to move forward in the game.If a match signal 925 is not generated (1120), then the user may movethe next item of jewelry (e.g. ring 850) within the magnetic field ofthe primary coil (1110).

If all the worn items of jewelry (e.g., rings 850, 860 and item 870) aremoved within the magnetic field of the primary coil and there still isno match, at least one of the worn jewelry's capacitance and/orinductance may be modified to modify the resonant frequency of thecorresponding LC tank circuit (1150). For e.g., user may modifycapacitance if ring 860 includes LC circuit with a variable capacitance,an inductance if ring 860 includes an LC circuit with a variableinductance, or both if ring 860 includes both a variable inductance anda variable capacitance.

If a match signal 925 is generated (1160), then the match signal 925 maybe sent to the game software 950 (1130). The game software 950 may thenallow the character to move forward in the game (1140). If a matchsignal 925 is not generated (1160), then the user may modify the nextring's capacitance and/or inductance (1150). For e.g., user may modifycapacitance if ring 850 includes LC circuit with a variable capacitance,an inductance if ring 850 includes an LC circuit with a variableinductance, or both if ring 850 includes both a variable inductance anda variable capacitance. The process continues until a match signal 925is generated.

In certain embodiments, FIG. 12 is a flow chart that depicts anexemplary method 1200 that the user may follow in order to cause aspecific action to occur in the game. The game software 950 may generatea request an input of a particular combination of frequencies (1205).For example, game software 950 may request a user to provide an input ofa particular combination of frequencies so that a game character movesforward in the game, or performs a particular combination of moves oractions. For example, user may be requested to provide a first frequencyf1 from ring 860 and a second frequency f2 from ring 850.

A user may then move each piece of jewelry (e.g., ring 860) containing aLC tank circuit within the magnetic field of the primary coil (1210). Amatch signal 925 may be generated from the LC Detection Circuit 920 if asequence or combination of particular desired frequencies may bedetected from multiple rings (e.g., rings 850 and 860). If a matchsignal 925 is generated for each item of jewelry (e.g., ring 860provides a frequency input equivalent to f1 and ring 850 provides afrequency input f2) (1220), then the match signal may be sent to thegame software 950 (1230).

If all the worn items of jewelry (e.g., rings 850 and 860) are movedwithin the magnetic field of the primary coil and there still is nomatch (1220), at least one of the worn jewelry's capacitance and/orinductance may be modified to modify the resonant frequency of thecorresponding LC tank circuit (1250). For example, user may modifycapacitance if ring 860 includes LC circuit with a variable capacitance,an inductance if ring 860 includes an LC circuit with a variableinductance, or both if ring 860 includes both a variable inductance anda variable capacitance.

If a match signal 925 is generated (1260), then the match signal 925 maybe sent to the game software 950 (1230). The game software 950 may thenperform the specific function, e.g., allow the game character to moveforward in the game or perform a combination move (1240). If a matchsignal 925 is not generated (1260), then the user may modify the nextjewelry item's capacitance and/or inductance (1250). For e.g., user maymodify capacitance if ring 850 includes LC circuit with a variablecapacitance, an inductance if ring 850 includes an LC circuit with avariable inductance, or both if ring 850 includes both a variableinductance and a variable capacitance. The process continues until amatch signal 925 is generated.

While the above description contains many specifics and certainexemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanyingdrawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merelyillustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and thatthis invention is not limited to the specific constructions andarrangements shown and described, since various other modifications mayoccur to those ordinarily skilled in the art, as mentioned above. Theinvention includes any combination or subcombination of the elementsfrom the different species and/or embodiments disclosed herein.

We claim:
 1. An input device, comprising: a first piece of jewelrycomprising a power source and a primary coil for generating a magneticfield; a second piece of jewelry comprising an LC tank circuit thatoscillates at a first resonant frequency when placed within the magneticfield; and a receiver for receiving a signal and determining if thesignal comprises a signal match.